Message from the Vicar

​Dearly Beloved in Christ

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.- Desmond Tutu

We are on the doorsteps of the New Year, 2017. In theJulian calendar, theyearstarts with the month ofJanuary. In ancient Roman religion and mythology,Janusisthe god of beginnings and transitions, gates, doors, doorways,endingsand time. He is usually a two-faced god since he looks to the future and the past. Every year, at this time, our thoughts are on both sides of looking back and looking forward. It’satimesetapart for reflection,selfassessmentand repentance. It’satime ofevaluation, planning and resolutions. As we enter into this new year, it's only natural to want to reflect back over the previous year and consider what all was accomplished. It's true in our professional life as well as our personal life. It's also true in our spiritual life. Weshould asksomeimportant questionsto ourselvesregarding ourspiritual life:

We don't know what will happen in future, but God knows everything. We don’t know what trials, misfortunes, sufferings, pains, distresses, difficulties, troubles and tribulations we are going to face. But one thing we know isthat God is with usin all our dayto daylifeexperiences. If welookat the passageIsaiah 43:1-2, thistext offers us theanswer, filled with clear direction for the daysto come. That messageis: FEAR NOT

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for Ihave redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be withyou; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Norshall theflamescorch you. ​(Isaiah 43:1-2)

Commentatorsexplain manyreasonsto say"fear not." When welook on the passage in verses 1-5, we see a minimum ten reasons to say "fear not".

Fear not, for I have redeemed you (vs 1)

Fear not, for I have summoned you by name (vs 1)

Fear not, for you are mine (vs 1)

Fear not, for I will be with you (vs 2)

Fear not, for I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (vs 3)

Fear not, for I give Egypt for your ransom ... (vs 3)

Fear not, since you are precious and honored in my sight (vs 4)

Fear not, because I love you (vs 4)

Fear not, because I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life (vs 4)

Fear not, for I will bring/gather your children (vs 5)

Once the children of Israel hear this, "I have redeemed you", they exactly think of Israel's liberation from Egypt. Not only from Egypt, it also includes deliverance from the Babylonian Exile. And, it includes the redemption that is ours in Christ – when He was the Passover Lamb who died for us on the cross. When you pass through the waters, when you pass through the rivers, when you walk through the fire, for I have redeemed you. The waters, rivers and fire are still there in our day to day life. But the message reminds us, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you." When I face the waters and rivers and fire, I have nothing to fear because Jesus has already paid the price to set me free. May God help us to say like psalmist, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

With all my heart, I wish you rich blessings and all the best for the New Year 2017.May each one of you experience the Lord in many diverse ways!